Spain produced a statement performance against Costa Rica, hammering them 7-0, while Germany experienced a shock loss to Japan.
Spain 7-0 Costa Rica
Spain ran riot against Costa Rica on Wednesday afternoon, celebrating their highest victory at a FIFA World Cup against Costa Rica.
Dani Olmo opened the scoring after just 11 minutes after played through by Gavi, netting the opener, which was also Spain’s 100th goal in World Cup history.
Spain made it 2-0 after 21 minutes when Asensio latched onto a cross by Jordi Alba.
It was 3-0 after 29 minutes after Ferran Torres stepped up to convert a penalty to hand his side a comfortable lead.
Spain were in complete control, having 85% of possession with Costa Rica no match.
Torres completed his brace in the 54th minute after beating Keylor Navas for a second time.
In the 75th minute, Gavi, who became Spain’s youngest player at the World Cup, scored his side’s fifth with a superb volley after being set up by Alvaro Morata.Â
Carlos Soler made it half a dozen in the 90th minute, while Alvaro Morata even added a seventh to complete the biggest World Cup win in history.
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Germany 1-2 Japan
Japan have upset 2014 FIFA World Cup champions, coming from a goal down to beat Die Mannschaft 2-1.
The game started slow on the pitch, but Germany’s team already made a huge statement against FIFA’s recent censorship of the ‘One Love’ captain’s armbands by covering their mouths in the official team photo.
Japan did have the ball in the Germany net after just 8 minutes but Daizen Made scored from a offside position.
Ilkay Gündoğan opened the scoring for Germany from the spot after David Raum was brought down by Japanese goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda in the 33rd minute.
Germany had the ball again in the Japanese net in injury-time of the first half but Kai Havertz’s tap-in was ruled out by offside.
Germany, who had 72% of possession in the first half, continued their dominance after the break but Jamal Musiala, following a fine solo run, and Gundogan missed chances to make it 2-0, with the latter hitting the outside of the post.
Japan had a massive chance to equalise in the 72nd second minute but Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer denied them from close range with a superb save.
However, just three minutes later Japan did get on the scoresheet when Ritsu Doan converted a rebound off another Neuer save from close range.
Japan turned the game upside down in the 83rd minute when Asano fended off the ball against Nico Schlotterbeck and beat Neuer from a tight angle to make it 2-1.
Leon Goretzka had a late chance to make it 2-2 in the 95th minute but his shot sailed past the post.
